Surfer, Warner Bros. Consultant Capture Good Vibes, Waves in Shorewood

The story of the avid surfer, and his wife the major motion picture consultant, sounds like one straight out of Hollywood.

Only, this story starts in the Golden State, and culminates in Shorewood.

Kenneth Cole, now a clinical psychologist and director of a practice in Mequon, and his wife Silke, a consultant for Warner Bros. Pictures, moved from Los Angeles to Shorewood about a year ago to get away from the hustle and bustle of the West Coast but not relinquish its benefits.

They liked what the school district had to offer with their daughter Lena set to soon start school and Shorewood's proximity to Milwaukee, and its art and film culture.

"We were looking for a more family-friendly community. We couldn't see raising her in LA," Silke said. "We are done living in a big city. Shorewood is close to the city and it's close to nature."

And, it’s close to Lake Michigan, Silke continued.

"In LA, we would sit in the car for an hour to get to the beach," Silke added. "Now we walk a couple blocks."

Born in Germany, Silke made the trip to California 14 years ago to stay with relatives and study as an exchange student. She's remained in LA to purse a career in the film industry and has worked at Warner Bros. for the past 3-1/2 years. She hopes to become more involved in Milwaukee's film culture, as a member of the selection committee for Milwaukee's Children Film Fest this year.

"I’m just starting to explore the film culture here," Silke said.

While Silke takes in theaters and museums, Kenneth said he doesn’t end up spending much time on dry land when he hits and other beaches along Lake Michigan — at least during the winter months.

He is an avid surfer and along with other local friends he has made through the sport, he rides the winter waves of the Great Lakes.

“I’m sort of a fanatic of the lake,” he said.

Kenneth is trying to get more people interested in the sport and alter what he calls a largely negative perception of surfers.

“I think communities should recognize that surfers are an asset,” he said. “It’s a sport that can actually serve as a strength of the community.”

Kenneith realized his love for surfing during an internship in Hawaii. When it was time to head to the Milwaukee area, he did some research to see if it’s possible to surf the Great Lakes.

“When I moved up here, I bought a surfboard, and met a group of guys I am still friends with today,” he said.

He spent a few years in Shorewood and Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood before moving to California, eventually finding his way back to the village.

Kenneth recently participated in a contest in California where more than 20 of his Wisconsin surfing friends joined him. He said the contest was more about capturing and celebrating the “stoke of surfing.”

“We won a couple of awards, one being most shared waves,” he said. “The more people you have on one wave the better.

“It was great for me to get back to Cali, surf with some friends, and be in a place where I was guaranteed to get some gnarly waves.”

It’s the positive vibes Kenneth garners on the waves that he has translated into his life philosophy. He is the author of a children’s photo book, along with local photographer John Ruebartsch, called “No Bad News.”

“It’s about a day in the life of a young African-American child on Milwaukee’s north side,” he said.

Kenneth said many of the neighborhoods that people avoid are ripe with people doing positive things.

“Through the eyes of a black child, readers realize positive things can happen,” he said.

Kenneth and John are working on a third book; they hope to get started in 2013. He also maintains a blog called Iamgoodnews. It’s a series of weekly posts of content he said likely appears to be basic, but when you look inside, provides something positive. Kenneth has given lectures on his message including keynote addresses to schools and universities, one of which he co-lead with Bill Cosby.

But, his main interest remains his family.

“Living in a smaller community really affords us the time we just didn’t have before,” he said.